Soccer: New philosophy helps Marinos lay title-winning foundation

Yokohama F Marinos' 2022 J-League top-flight championship, clinched Saturday with a 3-1 win against Vissel Kobe, was the vindication of a high-octane playing style and focus on player development introduced by previous manager Ange Postecoglou and fine-tuned by current boss Kevin Muscat.

The two Australians previously worked together in their home country, where Muscat was an assistant to Postecoglou at A-League club Melbourne Victory, and it was this relationship that paved the way for the former Socceroo to take the top job at Nissan Stadium.

Having steered Marinos to the 2019 J-League title, Postecoglou departed midway through the 2021 season to manage Scottish powerhouse Celtic, but not before recommending Muscat, coming off an unsuccessful stint managing Belgian side Sint-Truiden, as his successor.

Despite opposition from their minority shareholder, City Football Group, Marinos made the appointment and have quickly been rewarded for backing Muscat, who was loathed by many opposing players and fans during his time as a tough-tackling defender for clubs including Crystal Palace, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Millwall in the English leagues.

Marinos finished runner-up to Kawasaki Frontale in 2021 and held off a strong challenge from their prefectural rivals, winners of four of the past five titles, to win the championship this year.

The club had a league-high seven players called up by Japan for the EAFF E-1 Football Championship in July when the Samurai Blue were comprised solely of J-League players.

That was achieved with their player wages ranking only ninth in the top division for fiscal 2021, however, and it was their coherent playing philosophy and recruitment system that enabled them to build such a strong squad.

While the league has been dominated by sides who sit back in defense focusing on getting more bodies behind, Marinos made a clear departure by pushing their backline high and chasing the ball from the front.

Their relentless work rate and strong challenges helped them launch their trademark counterattacks and raise their tempo to a European standard sought by Postecoglou.

"I'm focusing on the aggressiveness and intensity that are demanded overseas. If you can cut it at this team, you can overseas too," said 20-year-old Joel Chima Fujita, who joined the side ahead of this season.

Former CSKA Moscow forward Takuma Nishimura and Arsenal winger Ryo Miyaichi, both eyeing a return to Europe, were also drawn to Marinos by the club's playing style.

"Marinos chose this style of football. It was huge," said 2019 J-League MVP Teruhito Nakagawa.

Having once prided themselves as one of Japan's big-money clubs offering players the most lucrative contracts, Marinos have adjusted to a changing environment where young players are yearning for a move to Europe.

Marinos' understanding of their financial situation, as well as the need to become an attractive stepping stone for Japanese stars seeking moves to Europe, helped the club return to being one of the biggest in the country.

© Kyodo News